Series synopsis
Top Guns: The Next Generation is an American documentary action & adventure reality television series that premiered on National Geographic on September 16, 2025. It was created by Karen Edwards.
Follow a class of Navy and Marine Corps student pilots as they enter the final and most unforgiving phase of elite strike fighter training. It's six months of high-stakes aerial training, brutal physical demands, and emotional reckoning - where only the top performers earn the chance to fly the most coveted aircrafts.
Premise
Follow a class of Navy and Marine Corps student pilots as they enter the final and most unforgiving phase of elite strike fighter training. It's six months of high-stakes aerial training, brutal physical demands, and emotional reckoning - where only the top performers earn the chance to fly the most coveted aircrafts.
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 6 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | September 16, 2025 | October 21, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Strike One student's dreams of becoming a fighter pilot are put in jeopardy as the class starts advanced phase training with a set of breathtaking bombing tests. Diving at speeds they've never faced before, students struggle with the dynamic moves and start to make high-risk mistakes. Instructors deliver tough assessments in the debriefs to keep the students safe. |
September 16, 2025 |
| 2 |
Catching the Wire Landing on an aircraft carrier demands precision flying and is a skill vital for all U.S. Navy fighter pilots. As the students tackle the longest and most technical section of the Advanced Phase, they know it's a test they must pass to keep their dreams alive. The pressure mounts on some struggling students, and the commanding officer issues a timely warning to one. |
September 23, 2025 |
| 3 |
Attack Attack! As the students reach the midpoint of their training, they start the iconic dogfighting phase. Against them are seasoned instructors with hundreds of hours of real-world experience. To pass, they must outmaneuver the enemy to take a "kill shot." One student has the added pressure of flying with his Top Gun-trained commodore, while another struggles to control his aggressive instincts. |
September 30, 2025 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | National Geographic |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 16, 2025 |
| Last aired | October 21, 2025 |
| Runtime | 45 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Tuesday at 21:00:00 |